1. European Studies Programme www.european-studies.org www.european-studies.org

2. What is European Studies? Post Primary school curriculum programme Funded by Departments of Education in Ireland and Northern Ireland Links schools across Europe on collaborative, cross-curricular projects Promotes mutual understanding & an appreciation of other cultures Approximately 300 schools in 25 European regions

3. What are the benefits to teachers? Collegiality Accreditation opportunities eg EAT certificates, The International Award On-going curriculum development responding to new education initiatives Resources and materials Professional development opportunities Encourages innovation & creativity High level of expertise Enhanced teacher confidence

4. What are the benefits to students? Communicating & collaborating with peers in other countries Developing a range of skills, for example –Communication- Working with others –Citizenship- ICT –Research- Discussion –Presentation- Problem solving Presenting materials for a real audience Independent & peer learning Competitions Increased performance and attainment

5. What are the benefits to parents and the wider community? Challenges pre-conceptions of staff & pupils Breaks down barriers which exist between different types of schools Students gain greater tolerance and understanding of different cultures Develops community cohesion Prepares young people for greater future mobility

6. Joining the European Studies Programme: School completes application form to join - Junior Programme 11 – 15 years, (includes European Primary Schools) and/or -Senior Programme 16 – 18 years plus School then invited to International Teacher Planning Conference

7. Cluster Composition On joining schools meet and work in cluster groups of 5 to 6 schools Clusters composed of 1 Northern Irish school 1 Republic of Ireland school 2 – 4 European/UK schools

8. Cluster Groups Agreements Cluster groups plan agreements of curriculum based work for the following academic year Agreement then signed by 5 – 6 members as contract on annual basis Each school identifies the class(es) who will collaborate on the agreed work

9. Agreement Consists of Core activities with preliminary activity of personal profiles exchange One topic should be based on theme of conference eg Citizenship, Intercultural Learning, Creativity & Innovation Throughout year cluster groups receive office support of eg website (including the Communication Platform), newsletter, student certificates of participation.

10. The ESP Co-ordinator year Spring – Annual international planning conference Sept. – Commence preliminary activities eg personal profiles October – Commence core activity one Autumn – Christmas Card competition, Euroscola competition, Winter newsletter, Irish/Northern Irish School visits

11. The ESP Co-ordinator year Winter – Conference invitations, Grant Applications, Regional Training Days, commence main collaborative activity Spring – Conference Completion of collaborative activity Spring – Euroscola Summer – Issuing of student certificates of participation

12. Conference Venues The International Planning Conferences are held in: Ireland (North and South) And Belgium in The Louvain Institute for Ireland in Europe, Leuven

13. 100 delegates from secondary level schools from up to 25 different countries (average 12 nationalities) Conference generally begins Friday 1430 and ends Sunday 1130 At Conference

14. At Conference Delegates Receive In-service training in the international dimension in education Materials and resources Workshops on relevant topics eg European Funding (European national agencies), Pedagogy Information on accreditation and assessment ICT training

15. Conclusion European Studies is delighted to welcome schools from Ireland, N Ireland and Europe: primary (if 11 years plus), secondary, grammar, special, colleges of further and higher education Application packs available from www.european-studies.org/info.htm www.european-studies.org/info.htm